Green light from council for Carmichael infrastructure agreement

Isaac Regional Council has today approved the terms of an Infrastructure Access Agreement relating to the proposed Carmichael Mine and associated rail network.

It is one more approval proponent Adani can tick off as it awaits a State Government decision today on a groundwater management plan critical to allowing the start of construction at the Galilee Basin coal site.

The Infrastructure Access Agreement between Adani, the Carmichael Rail Network and Isaac Regional Council was considered at a special meeting of council in Moranbah.

Mayor Anne Baker said the proponents were required to establish an agreement with the council as a condition of the approval process set down by the Office of the Coordinator-General.

“This is a requirement of all major projects and ensures the ratepayers of Isaac region are not directly or indirectly burdened by the cost of improving or maintaining infrastructure required to develop or operate a resources project,” Cr Baker said.

“The Infrastructure Access Agreement formalises the obligations of the proponents to fund the upgrade to existing infrastructure to an agreed standard, provide required new infrastructure and to equitably fund the maintenance of existing roads impacted by activity created by the project during construction and operation.

“For example, this agreement requires the proponent to carry out works in two stages to improve the Moray-Carmichael Road, which is the primary route to the mine site.

“The first stage will be undertaken immediately while the sealing of the road and the substantial upgrading of bridges will be undertaken in agreed timeframes over the next few years. If other roads are impacted by the mine and rail project over time, they too will be subject to improvements funded by the proponent.”

Cr Baker said the Carmichael mine and associated rail link were just two of several significant resources projects currently under development in the Isaac.

“Whilst there has been an unprecedented focus on this one development and one company, negotiation and formalisation of these agreements is business as usual for our organisation,” she said.

“We already have 26 active coal mines across the region, which collectively produce more than half of Queensland’s saleable coal.”

She said the local council was supportive of responsible development by the resources and mining sector within the region, but was also committed to making sure big companies fairly paid their way.